IFRC calls for support as landslides, cyclone hit CHT

Staff ReporterThe International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has called for support as extreme monsoon weather triggers consecutive disasters, including landslides and cyclone, in Bangladesh."Southeast Bangladesh is facing the full onslaught of monsoon. We're dealing with back-to-back disasters at the moment and the volunteers of the Bangladesh Red Crescent are out in force, helping these stricken communities," says Azmat Ulla, the head of IFRC Bangladesh office.The IFRC observed that the Southeast Bangladesh is reeling from the effects of monsoon as days of severe rains have triggered landslides in Chittagong hills, killing over 100 people and leaving many missing.This latest disaster comes in the wake of Cyclone Mora that battered the same region barely two weeks ago.Cyclone Mora brought high winds, heavy rains and tidal surges which triggered widespread flooding that left more than 50,000 homes damaged or destroyed in the districts of Cox's Bazar, Chittagong and Bandarban and affected around 3.3 million people, it said.The landslides and torrential rains in recent days are worsening the situation for coastal communities who have been struggling to rebuild their lives and livelihoods in the aftermath of Cyclone Mora, it observed.Among those hardest hit by Cyclone Mora were thousands of migrants from Rakhine State in Myanmar who live in areas close to the coast in Cox's Bazar district.An estimated 150,000 people were affected after Cyclone Mora flattened many of the shelters in the informal settlements where they reside.In response to Cyclone Mora, the IFRC and the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) has just launched an emergency appeal of 1.3 million Swiss francs (1.3 million US Dollars or 1.1 million Euros) to provide emergency assistance to 50,000 people living in three Cox's Bazar, Chittagong and Bandarban."On top of losing their homes and few possessions, many people have also lost their food stocks. We need to ensure that people have a roof over their heads and sufficient nutritious food. Access to clean water and sanitation is also crucial to stop the spread of diseases," says Azmat Ulla.